More about this cause

I met Deb. M. on fFcebook. She received a Peace bracelet as a gift and never stopped wearing it.

She had a personal story and wanted to share it with other people, for she knew she was not alone struggling.

“I almost died..twice..because I would not eat..because food was the enemy..because food would make me big, make me feel huge, make me be present and beautiful in the world and make me face the abuse of my past..eating felt like stabbing knives to my stomach and attaching fat to my already tiny frame..I wanted to die. I wanted out. I wanted to feel nothing. I was a victim of abuse and my freedom became my control in my starvation, and the only kind of power I had in my life. No one was ever going to tell me I had to eat again..ever. I was going to remain emaciated..or die. I came to realize I was killing myself by causing my body to eat itself for nourishment..and came to question is this the price to pay for a false sense of beauty and to feel superior and hide from the abuse in my life..really, I was silently screaming for honest, compassionate, true and unconditional..Love..”

She changed this poison into medicine and received treatment, but not without obstacles from insurance companies to cover treatment for eating disorders and of course many other mental health diseases. She goes to Capitol Hill and lobbies Senators and Congressmen to facilitate awareness on the importance of passing Bills to implement insurance and treatment rights for those with mental illness. As a direct result, The Mental Health Parity Bill was passed and now is in effect. Debbie works with The Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC), whose mission is to advance the federal recognition of mental health as a public health priority. She continues to Lobby The Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders Act-The FREED Act (Bill H.R. 1193)